Patents by Inventor Michael Benjamin

Michael Benjamin has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 12483600
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve utilizing network threat information to manage one or more security devices or policies of a communication network. The security system may receive threat intelligence data or information associated with potential threats to a communications network and process the threat intelligence data to determine one or more configurations to apply to security devices of a network. The system may then generate a rule or action to respond to the identified attack, such as a firewall rule for a firewall device to block traffic from the source of the attack. The threat intelligence information may include a confidence score indicating a calculated confidence in the identification of the malicious communications, which may be utilized by the system to determine the type of action taken on the security devices of the network in response to the information or data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2024
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2025
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: David Dubois, Michael Benjamin, Mark Dehus, Peter Brecl
  • Patent number: 12464049
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing network devices include performing clustering operations for network devices based on attributes of the network devices. By comparing the results of subsequent clustering operations, changes in network device attributes can be readily identified and any network devices for which attributes have changed may be subject to further investigation or remedial action (e.g., blocking traffic to/from the network device). Clustering may also be used to conduct an inventory of network devices by identifying groups of network devices that have similar attributes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2025
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Benjamin
  • Publication number: 20250337710
    Abstract: Examples of the present disclosure describe systems and methods for providing enhanced security in edge computing environments. A first aspect describes a method for moving security features dynamically applied to an application at a first deployment location to an application at a second deployment location. A second aspect describes a method for locally expanding/contracting an instance of a deployed application. A third aspect describes a method for redirected network traffic associated with detected malicious conduct from a first application deployment environment to a secured second application deployment environment. A fourth aspect describes a method for performing multi-stage network traffic filtering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2025
    Publication date: October 30, 2025
    Applicant: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Smith, Michael Benjamin, Peter Brecl
  • Publication number: 20250267136
    Abstract: Authorization for a user may be dynamically tailored per application or per application function, rather than globally managed by an administrator. For example, in some embodiments, an identity access management system may generate a suitable authorization token (or authorization token information) to enable a user to login to an application or perform a particular function. The authorization token may be dynamically generated and tailored based on filtering various identity information otherwise available from an identity system, access boundaries of applicable application functions, or other factors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2025
    Publication date: August 21, 2025
    Applicant: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Sylvan H. Morley, III, Jamie Lin, Michael Benjamin, John Knies
  • Patent number: 12355726
    Abstract: Examples of the present disclosure describe systems and methods for providing enhanced security in edge computing environments. A first aspect describes a method for moving security features dynamically applied to an application at a first deployment location to an application at a second deployment location. A second aspect describes a method for locally expanding/contracting an instance of a deployed application. A third aspect describes a method for redirected network traffic associated with detected malicious conduct from a first application deployment environment to a secured second application deployment environment. A fourth aspect describes a method for performing multi-stage network traffic filtering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Smith, Michael Benjamin, Peter Brecl
  • Publication number: 20250202918
    Abstract: The present application describes a system that uses endpoint data and network data to detect an anomaly. Once an anomaly is detected, the system may determine a severity of the anomaly by comparing the anomaly to a global database of known anomalies. The system may then initiate preventative measures to address the anomaly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2025
    Publication date: June 19, 2025
    Applicant: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Benjamin
  • Patent number: 12301554
    Abstract: Authorization for a user may be dynamically tailored per application or per application function, rather than globally managed by an administrator. For example, in some embodiments, an identity access management system may generate a suitable authorization token (or authorization token information) to enable a user to login to an application or perform a particular function. The authorization token may be dynamically generated and tailored based on filtering various identity information otherwise available from an identity system, access boundaries of applicable application functions, or other factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2025
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Sylvan H. Morley, III, Jamie Lin, Michael Benjamin, John Knies
  • Patent number: 12289218
    Abstract: A route viewing system includes a computing system that receives information associated with one or more routes through a network, and identifies the routes that are associated with at least one illicit user computer used by an illicit user. The computing system then obtains a source location of a source address of the routes and a destination location of a destination address of the routes, and displays the routes on a geographical display at the source location of the source address and the destination location of the destination address of each of the routes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Benjamin, Skyler J. Bingham, John S. Reynolds
  • Patent number: 12250236
    Abstract: The present application describes a system that uses endpoint data and network data to detect an anomaly. Once an anomaly is detected, the system may determine a severity of the anomaly by comparing the anomaly to a global database of known anomalies. The system may then initiate preventative measures to address the anomaly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Benjamin
  • Publication number: 20240356896
    Abstract: Examples of the present disclosure describe systems and methods for providing enhanced security in edge computing environments. A first aspect describes a method for moving security features dynamically applied to an application at a first deployment location to an application at a second deployment location. A second aspect describes a method for locally expanding/contracting an instance of a deployed application. A third aspect describes a method for redirected network traffic associated with detected malicious conduct from a first application deployment environment to a secured second application deployment environment. A fourth aspect describes a method for performing multi-stage network traffic filtering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2024
    Publication date: October 24, 2024
    Applicant: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Smith, Michael Benjamin, Peter Brecl
  • Publication number: 20240340268
    Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing filters within computer networks include obtaining blocklist data that includes blocklist entries for a network. Each of the blocklist entries includes one or more network traffic attributes for identifying traffic to be blocked. In response to receiving the blocklist data, a filter based on a common network traffic attribute shared between at least two of the plurality of blocklist entries is generated. The filter is then deployed to a network device within the network such that the filter may be implemented at the network device to block corresponding traffic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2024
    Publication date: October 10, 2024
    Applicant: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Benjamin
  • Publication number: 20240340318
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve utilizing network threat information to manage one or more security devices or policies of a communication network. The security system may receive threat intelligence data or information associated with potential threats to a communications network and process the threat intelligence data to determine one or more configurations to apply to security devices of a network. The system may then generate a rule or action to respond to the identified attack, such as a firewall rule for a firewall device to block traffic from the source of the attack. The threat intelligence information may include a confidence score indicating a calculated confidence in the identification of the malicious communications, which may be utilized by the system to determine the type of action taken on the security devices of the network in response to the information or data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2024
    Publication date: October 10, 2024
    Applicant: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: David Dubois, Michael Benjamin, Mark Dehus, Peter Brecl
  • Publication number: 20240305548
    Abstract: A route viewing system includes a computing system that receives information associated with one or more routes through a network, and identifies the routes that are associated with at least one illicit user computer used by an illicit user. The computing system then obtains a source location of a source address of the routes and a destination location of a destination address of the routes, and displays the routes on a geographical display at the source location of the source address and the destination location of the destination address of each of the routes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2024
    Publication date: September 12, 2024
    Applicant: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Benjamin, Skyler J. Bingham, John S. Reynolds
  • Patent number: 12034698
    Abstract: Examples of the present disclosure describe systems and methods for providing enhanced security in edge computing environments. A first aspect describes a method for moving security features dynamically applied to an application at a first deployment location to an application at a second deployment location. A second aspect describes a method for locally expanding/contracting an instance of a deployed application. A third aspect describes a method for redirected network traffic associated with detected malicious conduct from a first application deployment environment to a secured second application deployment environment. A fourth aspect describes a method for performing multi-stage network traffic filtering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Smith, Michael Benjamin, Peter Brecl
  • Patent number: 12021836
    Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing filters within computer networks include obtaining blocklist data that includes blocklist entries for a network. Each of the blocklist entries includes one or more network traffic attributes for identifying traffic to be blocked. In response to receiving the blocklist data, a filter based on a common network traffic attribute shared between at least two of the plurality of blocklist entries is generated. The filter is then deployed to a network device within the network such that the filter may be implemented at the network device to block corresponding traffic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Benjamin
  • Patent number: 12015644
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve utilizing network threat information to manage one or more security devices or policies of a communication network. The security system may receive threat intelligence data or information associated with potential threats to a communications network and process the threat intelligence data to determine one or more configurations to apply to security devices of a network. The system may then generate a rule or action to respond to the identified attack, such as a firewall rule for a firewall device to block traffic from the source of the attack. The threat intelligence information may include a confidence score indicating a calculated confidence in the identification of the malicious communications, which may be utilized by the system to determine the type of action taken on the security devices of the network in response to the information or data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: David Dubois, Michael Benjamin, Mark Dehus, Peter Brecl
  • Patent number: 11991057
    Abstract: A route viewing system includes a computing system that receives information associated with one or more routes through a network, and identifies the routes that are associated with at least one illicit user computer used by an illicit user. The computing system then obtains a source location of a source address of the routes and a destination location of a destination address of the routes, and displays the routes on a geographical display at the source location of the source address and the destination location of the destination address of each of the routes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Benjamin, Skyler J. Bingham, John S. Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20230327954
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing network devices include performing clustering operations for network devices based on attributes of the network devices. By comparing the results of subsequent clustering operations, changes in network device attributes can be readily identified and any network devices for which attributes have changed may be subject to further investigation or remedial action (e.g., blocking traffic to/from the network device). Clustering may also be used to conduct an inventory of network devices by identifying groups of network devices that have similar attributes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Applicant: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Benjamin
  • Publication number: 20230308420
    Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing filters within computer networks include obtaining blocklist data that includes blocklist entries for a network. Each of the blocklist entries includes one or more network traffic attributes for identifying traffic to be blocked. In response to receiving the blocklist data, a filter based on a common network traffic attribute shared between at least two of the plurality of blocklist entries is generated. The filter is then deployed to a network device within the network such that the filter may be implemented at the network device to block corresponding traffic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Applicant: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Benjamin
  • Publication number: 20230300043
    Abstract: A route viewing system includes a computing system that receives information associated with one or more routes through a network, and identifies the routes that are associated with at least one illicit user computer used by an illicit user. The computing system then obtains a source location of a source address of the routes and a destination location of a destination address of the routes, and displays the routes on a geographical display at the source location of the source address and the destination location of the destination address of each of the routes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Applicant: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Benjamin, Skyler J. Bingham, John S. Reynolds